What Is CC Cream? Everything You Need to Know About Colour Correcting Cream
If you’ve ever stood in front of the makeup aisle wondering “What actually is CC cream?”, you’re definitely not alone.
With so many foundations, tinted moisturisers, BB creams and CC creams available, it can be difficult to know which product is right for your skin. And as a professional makeup artist, I know that choosing the right base isn’t simply about picking the most popular product — it’s about finding what works for your individual skin.
At Just Jess Makeup, I’m passionate about helping you understand your complexion and find makeup that works with your skin rather than against it.
So, what is CC cream?
CC cream stands for Colour Correcting Cream (although some brands use the term Complexion Corrector).
It is a type of complexion product designed to help even out the appearance of skin tone and neutralise unwanted colour, such as redness, dullness or uneven pigmentation. Depending on the formula, CC creams can also provide hydration, coverage and SPF. (Healthline)
Think of CC cream as sitting somewhere between skincare and makeup.
However, there isn't one standard formula for a CC cream. Different brands can offer completely different levels of coverage, finishes and skincare ingredients — which is exactly why I don't believe there is one "best" CC cream for everyone.
What does CC cream actually do?
The main purpose of CC cream is to help create a more even-looking complexion.
Colour correction works using basic colour theory. For example, colours opposite each other on the colour wheel can help visually neutralise one another. Green can help counter the appearance of redness, while peachy tones can help with the appearance of blue or purple areas. (Olay)
But CC creams can do much more than simply colour correct.
Depending on the product, you may find formulas designed to offer:
Light to medium coverage
Hydration
A natural or radiant finish
SPF
Blurring of the appearance of imperfections
Help with the appearance of redness
A more even-looking skin tone
Some CC creams can even provide surprisingly high coverage, so don't assume that every CC cream is going to give you a sheer, barely-there finish.
CC cream vs foundation — what's the difference?
This is where things get interesting!
Traditionally, foundation is designed primarily to even out the complexion and provide coverage, whereas CC cream has a greater emphasis on colour correction and often combines makeup with skincare benefits.
But there is a huge amount of overlap between the two.
Some CC creams are incredibly lightweight, while others can provide coverage that rivals a foundation. This is why I always recommend looking at the actual formula, finish and coverage rather than relying solely on the words "CC cream" written on the packaging.
As a makeup artist, this is something I see all the time: two products can both be called CC creams but perform completely differently on the skin.
Is CC cream better than foundation?
Not necessarily.
And this is something I really want to emphasise.
There isn't one complexion product that is automatically "best".
Your perfect base depends on factors such as:
Your skin type
Your skin texture
Your desired coverage
Your preferred finish
How long you need your makeup to last
Whether you have redness or uneven pigmentation
How the product works with your skincare
And, importantly, how you apply it
A CC cream might be absolutely beautiful on one person and completely wrong for another.
The same applies to foundation.
How should you apply CC cream?
I always recommend appying ANY foundation or CC cream in thin layers. You can achieve ths by using a very specific type of foundation brush and Foundation blender sponge.
As a makeup artist, I always think about the application technique as well as the product itself.
The same base product can look completely different depending on how much you use and what you use to apply it.
For a natural everyday finish, you might start with a small amount (1 thin layer) and build coverage only where you need it.
If you're looking for more coverage, you can gradually layer the product rather than applying a thick layer all over your face. This will only work if you have the right application tools.
More product doesn't always mean better coverage — application matters.
This is the question I get asked all the time!
And honestly, there isn't one answer.
My approach as a makeup artist is to look at the person sitting in front of me rather than simply recommending whatever product is currently trending.
Your skin is unique, and your base should be too.
That's why I test so many different complexion products and look at how they actually perform on real skin — not just how they look in the packaging.
Want to see my honest CC cream and foundation reviews?
If you're trying to find the best CC cream or foundation for your skin, come and follow me on TikTok.
On my TikTok page, I share honest reviews, comparisons and application tests of CC creams and foundations, with a particular focus on how different products actually perform on the skin.
👉 Follow me on TikTok: @JustJessMakeup on TikTok
I don't believe in simply telling you that a product is "amazing" because it's popular. I want to help you work out whether it's actually right for YOU.
And if you're looking for professional makeup services, you can find out more about Just Jess Makeup here:
Final thoughts
CC cream can be a fantastic option if you want to even out your complexion, add colour correction and create a more natural-looking makeup base.
But don't get caught up in the idea that CC cream is automatically better than foundation — or that one particular product will work for everyone.
The best base is the one that works with YOUR skin.
That's exactly why I love testing and comparing foundations and CC creams. What looks incredible on one person might not work at all on another.
Follow Just Jess Makeup on TikTok for honest CC cream and foundation reviews, comparisons and application tips — and let’s find the right base for your skin.
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